Fishin’ with Capt. Gus! Ways to Spend the Holidays December 25, 2011-1.jpg

Photo Courtesy of Capt. Gus

Lake Norman Sunrise



Fishin’ with Capt. Gus!
Ways to Spend the Holidays
December 25, 2011

The week between Christmas and New Years is a great time to catch bass, crappie, white perch and a striper or two. Actually, it’s the busiest week of the winter fishing season. Lake access parking lots fill quickly with trucks and boat trailers, and the better fishing holes will see plenty of holiday anglers. December’s weather varies from year to year with the timing of passing weather systems, but usually there are several nice days to be on the water. Get an early start if you’re planning a trip.

For boat owners who live on the lake, it’s easy to untie the boat and hurry off in search of fish. But, everyone is not so fortunate. Some anglers must connect the boat to a trailer and tow it to the lake for launching. Still others fish from the shore, a pier, a rental boat, or find a friend or guide to take them.



For non-boat owners, public access to shoreline fishing is permitted in some locations. At the Lake Norman State Park near Troutman, NC (704-528-6350), shoreline fishing is permitted on the small landlocked body of water known as Park Lake and at the fishing pier adjacent to the swimming area. Expect to catch bass, bream, catfish and crappie from the small lake, and don’t be surprised if a striped bass tugs on your line at the pier. A freshwater fishing license is required when bank fishing. Licenses can be purchased at local tackle shops or on line 24/7 at www.NCwildlife.com.

Bank fishing is also permitted during certain times at the McGuire Nuclear Station off Highway 73 near Huntersville, NC and at the Marshall Steam Station off Highway 150 in Terrell, NC. Bass, catfish, perch and stripers can be caught during the winter months. Bottom fishing with cut bait, minnows and worms, particularly blood worms, is quite effective at both locations.



Most major marinas remain open during the holidays and have pontoon boat rentals. Since the number of boats is limited, don't wait until the last minute to reserve yours. Pontoons make excellent fishing platforms and can accommodate large groups for either fishing or cruising.



For the adventurous, a trout fishing trip in the Smoky Mountains might be the way to enjoy a day or two. A popular destination with family groups is Cherokee, NC, where the Oconaluftee River and its tributaries are stocked with 400,000 trout annually. Visit www.cherokeesmokies.com for more information.

A fun way to kill a few hours on a chilly day closer to home is to visit the large freshwater aquarium at the Bass Pro Shops in the Concord Mills Mall. This living display features a one hundred-plus pound catfish, along with big bass, crappie, stripers and other fish native to area lakes. Everyone enjoys the fish feeding presentations conducted at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 12:00 noon on Thursday, and 2:30 p.m. each Saturday.



Tips from Gus: It's a good idea to stretch new line after loading it on to the reel. An easy way to do this is to remove any terminal tackle, let out 75 to150 feet of line behind a slow moving boat and drag it for a few minutes. The water pressure will remove all memory from the monofilament line and reduce the chances of tangling while casting.

Upcoming Events:
FREE SEMINAR - “How to Safely Navigate Lake Norman Using Sonar and GPS.” Join me on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at North Point Watersports, 112 Doolie Road, Mooresville, NC and learn the “Basics of Sonar and GPS.” Bring your questions and instruction books to this informative ninety minute boating safety session. Call 704-799-1994 for more information.



Tips from Capt. Gus: The week between Christmas and New Year’s is a great time to take your youngsters fishing, even if it’s only for an hour or two.





Hot Spots of the Week: Fishing for white perch and spotted bass has been excellent. Fish the river channel and deep-water creeks in and around the Lake Norman State Park and Mountain Creek to the south. Striper fishing is spotty, but anglers continue to report catches of small hybrid striped bass in creek runs on either side of the Highway 150 Bridge. Crappie fishing is the best it has been in years. Best baits to use are crappie minnows fished around sunken brush piles in twenty five to thirty five feet of water.



Lake Norman is about 2.0' from full pond and Mountain Island Lake is down 2.7’. The water surface temperature is in the fifties.



Captain Gus Gustafson, licensed by the US Coast Guard, is a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and a Professional Sport Fishing Guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his website at www.FishingWithGus.com , e-mail him at Gus@lakenorman.com or call 704-617-6812.